Birkie Trail in Hayward, Wisconsin — Live Webcam Online
History of the Birkie Trail and the Legendary Marathon
The Birkie Trail in Hayward is not just a cross-country ski trail — it's a place where one of the most significant events in cross-country skiing unfolds every year. American Birkebeiner — the largest cross-country ski race in North America. The race was founded in 1973 by Hayward native Tony Wise, who learned to ski while serving as a soldier in Germany during World War II. The idea to hold a large-scale ski marathon in northern Wisconsin came to him after he became familiar with the Norwegian Birkebeinerrennet race, which runs between Rena and Lillehammer. It was the Norwegian Birkebeinerrennet race that served as the model for the American Birkebeiner.
Tony Wise was born on March 15, 1921, in Hayward. In February 1947, he purchased a hill for $750, which later became the Mount Telemark ski resort. This man essentially created the region's ski culture from scratch. Today, the American Birkebeiner is not just a race — it's an entire ecosystem that includes kids' races, shorter distance events, and mass participation events that attract thousands of participants from around the world.
Carlson Expedition Stadium — The Heart of the Finish Line
Carlson Expedition Stadium is the finish arena of the American Birkebeiner marathon, located in Hayward. This is where tired but happy skiers arrive after 50 kilometers of classic technique or 55 kilometers of skate skiing. The stadium is designed so that spectators can watch the final stretch of the race — here the trail narrows, and athletes pass through the finish gates in full view of the fans.
The orange "CARLSON EXPEDITION STADIUM" sign on the concrete bleachers is one of the most recognizable symbols of Hayward in the skiing world. On race days, the stands fill with thousands of spectators, creating an atmosphere comparable to the world's largest sports arenas. On regular days, the stadium looks much more modest — snow-covered steps, metal railings, and the silence of the northern forest.
Hayward: Capital of Skiing and Freshwater Fishing
Hayward, Wisconsin — a small town with a population of about 2,300 people, which has managed to become famous nationwide for two things: skiing and fishing. In addition to the Birkie Trail, the town is home to the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame, founded in 1960. The museum occupies 25,000 square feet across 7 buildings on 6 acres of land and serves as an international center for freshwater sport fishing education and promotion.
Hayward's main attraction is the world's largest fiberglass fish (muskie), standing over 4 stories tall and as long as a Boeing 757 aircraft. This sculpture has become the town's symbol and one of the most unusual roadside attractions in the United States. Hayward also features a mural-poster measuring 12 feet high and 45 feet long on the Lake Kids building at 10553 Main Street.
The Birkie Trail: A Route Over 100 km Long
The Birkie Trail (American Birkebeiner Trail) is not just a route for the annual race — it's a full-fledged trail system stretching over 100 km (62+ miles), running from Cable to Hayward through the forests of northern Wisconsin. The Birkie trail system includes 9 trailheads between Hayward and Cable, open year-round for skiing, running, cycling, and hiking.
The main race distance is 50 km (classic technique) and 55 km (skate skiing), with the route running from Cable to Hayward. The classic Birkie trail was added in 2007; it is 20 feet wide and runs through forested terrain before merging with the main trail. The route's terrain features a mix of climbs, descents, and flat sections, making the race one of the most challenging and respected in the world of cross-country skiing.
The American Birkebeiner is a founding member of the Worldloppet federation — an international organization of ski marathons that unites races across four continents. This underscores Hayward's status as one of the world's centers of the ski marathon movement.
Winter Hayward: Snow, Forest, and Northern Silence
Northern Wisconsin is a region with a continental climate, where winters are cold and snowy. The average snowfall in the Hayward area allows the ski season to last from December through March, and sometimes longer. Mixed forests — coniferous and deciduous trees — create the very landscape that makes the Birkie Trail unique: skiers pass through dense spruce groves, birch stands, and open clearings with views of snow-covered hills.
The streetlights with yellow illumination visible in the background are part of the finish zone infrastructure. On dark winter evenings in Hayward, it is this warm light that creates a sense of coziness and safety for athletes who have just completed the grueling marathon.
American Birkebeiner by the Numbers
The American Birkebeiner marathon draws up to 10,000 participants annually. These are not just professional cross-country skiers, but amateurs of all ages — from children to veterans. The race ranks among the top ten largest ski marathons in the world by number of participants. The program includes several distances: the main 50/55 km race, the 29 km race (Kortelopet), a kids' race, and even a summer version — a mountain bike marathon.
The finish at Carlson Expedition Stadium is the culmination of the race. Athletes cover the final meters in front of packed stands, and after crossing the finish line, they are treated to a traditional Norwegian meal — pea soup and waffles. This tradition references the historical roots of the race: in 1206, the Norwegian Birkebeiners skied carrying the infant Prince Haakon, and pea porridge was part of their diet.
What the Camera Shows
The live webcam is installed on the Birkie Trail in Hayward and broadcasts a real-time view of the Carlson Expedition Stadium. In the foreground is a large metal corrugated pipe, partially covered with snow. Behind it are the concrete steps and stadium bleachers with the orange "CARLSON EXPEDITION STADIUM" sign. Metal railings and fences surround the area. In the background is a snow-covered mixed forest of coniferous and deciduous trees. Streetlights with yellow illumination are visible in the distance, lighting up the snowy terrain. Snow covers the entire area, with tracks visible — ski tracks, footprints, and maintenance vehicle tracks. This live webcam allows you to observe the finish zone of the legendary marathon at any time of day, whether it's trail preparation before the race or a quiet winter day in Hayward.
